The Kansas City Royals are making strategic moves, including acquiring reliever Matt Strahm and developing young players like Jac Caglianone, who showed promise despite a challenging rookie season. The team is focused on building for the future with an emphasis on improving their roster both offensively and defensively, while also preparing for a new stadium in Kansas. Meanwhile, other sports news includes the Chiefs moving to Kansas, potential European basketball league developments, and notable auction sales.
The Mets have signed Devin Williams, adding a right-handed reliever, but their main goal remains to re-sign superstar closer Edwin Diaz, as Williams is not seen as a replacement for Diaz's elite status.
The Yankees' recent trade deadline moves, praised for their strategic depth and control, highlight the volatility and risks associated with acquiring relievers mid-season, as the team aims to strengthen its roster for the upcoming stretch.
The Yankees acquired reliever Camilo Doval from the Giants in a trade involving four minor leaguers, aiming to strengthen their bullpen with control through 2027, while the Giants rebuild their farm system with promising prospects.
The Chicago Cubs face tougher NL playoff competition as rival teams like the Phillies, Mets, and Padres made significant trades to strengthen their bullpens, while the Cubs focused on bolstering their pitching staff to contend for a deep playoff run, amidst a competitive NL race.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made a minor trade to acquire reliever Brock Stewart from the Twins in exchange for James Outman, as they seek bullpen help before the MLB trade deadline, while also exploring options to upgrade their lineup and outfield defense amidst high relief prices and ongoing trade market activity.
The Yankees and Pirates are negotiating a trade for reliever David Bednar, with the Yankees considered a leading contender. Bednar, a top controllable reliever, has shown strong performance after a rough start to 2024, and his acquisition would give the Yankees flexibility in their bullpen for 2025 and beyond. The Pirates are open to trading him, despite his ties to the team, with other clubs like the Rangers, Tigers, Phillies, and Dodgers also interested.
Former MLB executive Jim Bowden proposed a hypothetical blockbuster trade where the Dodgers acquire Twins relievers Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and utility player Willi Castro in exchange for prospects including Josue De Paula, Jackson Ferris, Bobby Miller, and Jaron Elkins, highlighting the potential impact and valuation challenges of such a deal.
The Mets are focusing on strengthening their bullpen before the MLB trade deadline due to injuries and high innings pitched by relievers, with a potential consideration for a starting pitcher to bolster their postseason rotation.
Aroldis Chapman is having a standout season as a closer for the Boston Red Sox, with a high save rate and impressive stats, while other top relievers like Josh Hader and Andrés Muñoz continue to perform well, and several emerging options are vying for save opportunities across Major League Baseball.
The article ranks the top 100 relief pitchers for 2025 based on save and hold statistics, providing a detailed bullpen depth chart and highlighting key performers like Josh Hader, Edwin Díaz, and Emmanuel Clase, along with weekly standout relievers such as Bryan Baker and Tyler Rogers.
The Kansas City Royals lost 5-1 to the Minnesota Twins, with Bobby Witt Jr. showing promise but the team's relievers struggling. Seth Lugo had a strong debut, but the offense was lackluster, striking out more than walking and hitting combined. The Royals are 0-2 and facing challenges with their offense and bullpen, hoping to turn things around in the upcoming games.
Alexis Díaz, Hector Neris, and Alex Young led all relievers with three SV+HLD's each this past week. Mark Leiter Jr. and Will Smith have also been standout relievers this season. Tommy Kahnle has returned to the Yankees bullpen, and the Rockies need to find a replacement for Pierce Johnson as their closer. Pitcher List provides daily updates on relievers in their Reliever Ranks series.
